KR20120133704A

KR20120133704A - Water treatment apparatus

Info

Publication number: KR20120133704A
Application number: KR1020110052494A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 박설희; 이수영; 주일; 오향균; 권은숙; 박지유
Original assignee: 웅진코웨이주식회사
Priority date: 2011-05-31
Filing date: 2011-05-31
Publication date: 2012-12-11

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water treatment device, and in particular, having a tank sterilization unit inside the apparatus housing, converting the drinking water in the tank unit into sterilized water, and then using the carbon filter to generate sterile water. The present invention relates to a water treatment apparatus. The water treatment device according to the present embodiment includes a device housing having a control unit; A tank unit connected to a filter unit provided to filter the water introduced into the apparatus housing to be drinking water, the tank unit being provided to receive the drinking water; And a tank sterilization unit which is connected to the tank unit to form a circulation path, and generates sterilization water by electrolyzing drinking water supplied from the tank unit during sterilization operation of the control unit, and sterilizing the tank unit while the sterilization water is circulated along the circulation path. It is desirable to.

Description

Water Treatment Equipment {WATER TREATMENT APPARATUS}

The present invention relates to a water treatment device, and in particular, having a tank sterilization unit inside the apparatus housing, converting the drinking water in the tank unit into sterilized water, and then using the carbon filter to generate sterile water. The present invention relates to a water treatment apparatus.

In recent years, various types of water purifiers have been widely used in homes as living standards have improved and the importance of drinking water has increased. In general, a water purifier uses a pretreatment filter, an activated carbon filter, an ultrafiltration membrane filter, a reverse osmosis membrane filter, or the like. According to such a general water purifier, water passing through an activated carbon filter completely removes residual chlorine in tap water, and uses raw water such as tap water to purify the drinking water.

However, these conventional water purifiers have been shown to cause various problems. First, there is a problem in that the purified water can be dissipated and the microorganisms proliferated in the activated carbon filter can be discharged, and the microorganisms introduced from the outside air can proliferate in the tank.

In addition, the water purifier is equipped with a water tank to maintain the flow rate or to store the purified water for the cold-temperature function, and the user is at least one week to suppress the growth of microorganisms because the microorganisms grow while the purified water is stored in the tank. There is an uncomfortable problem of cleaning and sterilizing at least once.

Meanwhile, to solve this problem, existing water purifier manufacturers use a water tank as an antimicrobial material, attach a UV sterilizer to the water tank, automatically drain the stored water after a certain period of time, or automatically circulate the water tank, In order to minimize contact with outside air, a method of sealing or dissolving a small amount of chlorine in an electrode sterilizer is used.

However, even with these methods, the inflow of microorganisms grown on activated carbon and the residual microorganisms in the air are not completely suppressed. That is, the tank using the antimicrobial agent is effective in suppressing the growth of microorganisms generated on the wall of the tank, but there is a problem in that the growth of the microorganisms propagated in the water by proliferation in the activated carbon filter cannot be suppressed.

In addition, when the UV sterilizer is attached, there is a problem in that the microorganism cannot be completely sterilized in water because there is no sterilization residual of the UV light and the entire tank is not sterilized.

In addition, sterilization by dissolving silver from silver activated carbon is not a fundamental solution because silver remains in drinking water, which may be harmful to health, and it is chlorine generated by electrolysis to continuously dissolve a small amount of chlorine in water. There is a disadvantage in that the removal of chlorine in the water purifier, in which the removal is an important function, prevents it from serving as a water purifier.

In addition, the conventional water purifier must sterilize the inside of the UV sterilization filter because microorganisms grow in the part of the rear end of the UV sterilization filter where the UV wavelength is not affected. shall.

On the other hand, free residual chlorine is widely used as a disinfectant disinfectant in tap water, and the water supply standards stipulate that residual chlorine of 0.4 mg / L or more remains in tap water, and tap water generally has more than 0.5 mg / L residual chlorine in tap water. To prevent microorganisms from occurring.

However, in the water purifier, there is no sterilization residue as 100% of free chlorine is removed in activated carbon filter process, and microorganisms flow from the air and activated carbon filter and multiply on the wall of the tank during water storage process. It may exceed the reference 100 CFU / mL.

In reservoirs, microorganisms multiply mainly on the wall and can form thousands of colonies per millimeter (mL) with microorganisms from outside. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly sterilize the wall of the tank with a disinfectant disinfectant and to minimize the inflow of microorganisms from the outside, but it is difficult for the actual users to clean the tank regularly because of the structure of the water purifier tank. In addition, since the microorganism is continuously proliferated in the activated carbon filter, there is a problem in that the microorganism cannot be suppressed only by cleaning the tank.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, having a tank sterilization unit inside the device housing, after converting the drinking water in the tank portion to sterilization water to sterilize the water circulating the tank and the tank sterilization unit It is an object of the present invention to provide a water treatment apparatus capable of increasing the concentration of sterilizing water.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a water treatment apparatus capable of preventing unnecessary waste of sterilized water by allowing sterile water to pass through a carbon filter to remove chlorine ions from the sterilized water and use it as rinsing water.

The water treatment device according to the present embodiment includes a device housing having a control unit; A tank unit connected to a filter unit provided to filter the water introduced into the apparatus housing to be drinking water, the tank unit being provided to receive the drinking water; And a tank sterilization unit which is connected to the tank unit to form a circulation path, and generates sterilization water by electrolyzing drinking water supplied from the tank unit during sterilization operation of the control unit, and sterilizing the tank unit while the sterilization water is circulated along the circulation path. It is desirable to.

In this embodiment, the tank sterilization unit sterilization water flow channel connected to form a circulation path to the tank portion; A channel opening / closing valve which is connected to the sterilizing water channel and provided to open and close the sterilizing water channel; An electrolysis unit connected to the sterilization water flow channel and provided to generate sterilization water by electrolyzing the drinking water provided by the tank unit; And a circulation pump provided in connection with the sterilizing water flow path between the tank unit and the electrolysis unit, so that the sterilizing water discharged from the electrolysis unit is circulated along the circulation path.

In this embodiment, the tank sterilization unit is linked to the control unit, it is preferable that the control unit to operate the tank sterilization unit in accordance with a predetermined cycle.

In this embodiment, the control unit is operated so that the flow path opening and closing valve is opened during the sterilization operation of the tank sterilization unit, so that the drinking water in the tank unit is supplied to the electrolysis unit through the sterilization water flow path tube, by applying power to the electrolysis unit The electrolysis process occurs so that the drinking water is electrolyzed in the electrolysis unit to be converted into sterilization water, and the circulation pump is operated by applying power to the circulation pump so that the sterilization water forms a circulation path along the sterilization water flow pipe. It is desirable to allow circulation.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a water treatment device includes a device housing having a control unit; A tank unit connected to a filter unit provided to filter the water introduced into the apparatus housing to be drinking water, the tank unit being provided to receive the drinking water; Tank connected to the tank unit to form a first circulation path, during the sterilization operation of the control unit, electrolysis of the drinking water supplied from the tank unit to generate sterilization water, the tank provided to sterilize the tank unit while the sterilization water is circulated along the first circulation path Sterilization unit; And a tank sterilization unit and a post carbon filter to form a second circulation path for circulating the post carbon filter of the tank unit and the filter unit, wherein chlorine ions are removed and converted into rinsing water while sterilizing water passes through the post carbon filter. The water preferably comprises a rinse portion provided to rinse the tank portion while circulating along the second circulation path.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the tank sterilization unit sterilization water flow channel connected to the tank portion to form a first circulation path; A channel opening / closing valve which is connected to the sterilizing water channel and provided to open and close the sterilizing water channel; An electrolysis unit connected to the sterilization water flow channel and provided to generate sterilization water by electrolyzing the drinking water provided by the tank unit; And a circulation pump provided in connection with the sterilizing water flow path between the tank portion and the electrolysis unit so that the sterilizing water discharged from the electrolysis unit is circulated along the first circulation path.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is connected to the tank sterilization unit and the rinsing unit, it is preferable that the control unit to operate the tank sterilization unit and the rinsing unit in accordance with a predetermined period.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is operated so that the flow path opening and closing valve is opened during the sterilization operation of the tank sterilization unit, so that drinking water in the tank unit is supplied to the electrolysis unit through the sterilization water flow channel, the power supply to the electrolysis unit The electrolysis process is generated by applying a gas so that drinking water is electrolyzed in the electrolysis unit to be converted into sterilization water, and the power is supplied to the circulation pump to operate the circulation pump. 1 It is preferable to allow circulation while forming a circulation path.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the rinsing portion between the circulation pump and the tank portion, the flow path switching valve provided to switch the flow path of the sterilization water in connection with the sterilization water flow path pipe; And it is preferable to include a rinsing flow passage pipe for linking the flow path switching valve and the post carbon filter.

In another embodiment of the present invention, when the rinsing operation, the control unit is opened, the flow path opening and closing valve is opened, the flow path switching valve is operated to close the first circulation path and open the second circulation path, causing the rinsing unit to rinse the second circulation It is desirable to operate to circulate along the path.

Water treatment device according to another embodiment of the present invention comprises a filter unit having a post carbon filter; A tank unit which is connected to the filter unit and provided to receive drinking water via the filter unit; A tank sterilization unit which is connected to a flow path that connects the filter unit and the tank unit, electrolyzes the drinking water provided by the filter unit to generate sterilized water, and provides sterilized water to the tank unit to supply the sterilized water to the tank unit; And a circulation module connected to the water outlet side of the tank unit and the water supply side of the post carbon filter such that the tank unit and the post carbon filter form a circulation path.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the circulation module includes a circulation pipe having one end connected to the outlet side of the tank portion and the other end connected to the inlet side of the post carbon filter, such that the tank portion and the post carbon filter form a circulation path; And a circulation pump connected to the circulation pipe so that the sterilizing water supplied from the tank portion is supplied to the post carbon filter, and the sterile water discharged from the tank portion during operation of the circulation pump is removed while chlorine ions are removed via the post carbon filter. It is preferable that the rinse water is provided to the tank unit.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the circulation module preferably further includes a circulation flow path switching valve provided to switch the flow path of the rinsing water flowing along the circulation path in connection with the circulation pipe between the post carbon filter and the circulation pump. Do.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the tank sterilization unit and the circulation module is connected to the control unit, the control unit is to operate the tank sterilization unit and the circulation module in accordance with a preset cycle in the control unit so that the tank unit can be sterilized periodically. desirable.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is to operate the tank sterilization unit during the sterilization operation for the tank unit, so that the sterilization water generated in the tank sterilization unit is supplied into the tank unit, the circulation module during the rinsing operation for the tank unit It is preferable to allow the sterile water in the tank portion to be rinsed by removing the chlorine ions while passing through the post carbon filter, and to rinse the tank portion while the rinsing water is circulated along the circulation path.

The present invention is provided with a tank sterilization unit inside the device housing, converting the drinking water in the tank portion to sterilization water after the sterilization water to circulate the tank and the tank sterilization unit to increase the concentration of sterilization water in the tank portion sterilization water By sterilizing by, it is possible to improve the sterilizing ability of the sterilizing water.

In addition, according to the present invention, by removing the chlorine ions from the sterilizing water by passing the sterilizing water through the carbon filter, it is possible to prevent unnecessary waste of the sterilizing water.

1 schematically shows a configuration of a water treatment device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a schematic diagram of a water treatment device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and schematically illustrates a flow of sterilizing water flowing along a first circulation path when the sterilizing unit is operated.
FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a flow of rinsing water flowing along a second circulation path when the rinsing unit is operated in the water treatment device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
4 schematically illustrates a configuration of a water treatment device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a water treatment device according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1st Example

As shown in FIG. 1, the water treatment device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a device housing 110, a filter unit 120 provided inside the device housing 110, and a water treatment flow path within the device housing 110. The tank unit 130 is provided in connection with the filter unit 120 to receive drinking water by a 140, and a tank sterilization unit 150 provided to sterilize the tank unit 130.

In the present embodiment, the device housing 110 is provided with a filter unit 120, a tank unit 130, a sterilization unit therein, the drinking water is drawn out in association with the tank unit 130 by the water treatment flow passage 140 on the outer surface A takeout cock (not shown) and a drain member (not shown) are provided. Here, the drain member is a member in which sterilization water or rinsing water is discharged after the sterilization process of the tank 130.

In this embodiment, the water treatment flow path 140 is the first flow path pipe 141, which connects the water pipe or the replaceable bucket for the dispenser and the filter unit 120, the first to connect the filter unit 120 and the tank unit 130 The tank part 130 through the two flow path pipe 142, the third flow path pipe 143 connecting the tank 130 and the take-out cock (not shown), and the drain member (not shown) and the flow path opening and closing valve 153. ) Is provided with a fourth flow pipe (144).

In this embodiment, the filter unit 120 is provided with a filter inlet 120a to which the first flow pipe 141 is connected at one side, and a filter outlet 120b to which the second flow pipe 142 is connected to the other side. It is provided.

The filter unit 120 may include a plurality of filters, for example, a sediment filter 121, a pre-carbon filter 122, a membrane filter 123, and a post carbon filter ( 124) (post-carbon filter) and the like.

Here, the sediment filter 121 is a filter for applying a nonwoven fabric to filter foreign matter and suspended matter contained in water (eg, tap water). The sediment filter 121 is provided with a filter inlet 120a at one side thereof and is connected to the first flow pipe 141.

The precarbon filter 122 is positioned between the sediment filter 121 and the membrane filter 123. Here, the precarbon filter 122 is a filter to which chlorine components, odors, and the like contained in water (for example, tap water) are applied by applying surfactant carbon.

The membrane filter 123 is a filter for filtering water (eg, tap water) through a porous membrane using cellulose-based fibers, and is positioned between the precarbon filter 122 and the postcarbon filter 124.

Finally, the post carbon filter 124 is located between the membrane filter 123 and the tank portion 130. Here, the post carbon filter 124 is a filter that removes pigments, odors, and / or chlorine ions because of relatively superior adsorption power than the activated carbon of the precarbon filter 122.

In this embodiment, the water flowing into the filter inlet (120a) through the first flow pipe 141 is the sediment filter 121, precarbon filter 122, membrane filter 123, and the post carbon filter 124 ) Is filtered while sequentially drinking water. The drinking water filtered by the filter unit 120 is discharged through the filter outlet port 120b and then introduced into the tank unit 130 along the second flow path pipe 142.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, the tank unit 130 is a space in which the drinking water filtered by the filter unit 120 is stored. The tank unit 130 may be provided with a plurality of tanks capable of accommodating water according to the temperature of the water.

However, since the tank 130 is a well-known part, in the present embodiment, a detailed description of a plurality of tanks (for example, hot water tanks, cold water tanks, water purification tanks) and illustrations in the drawings will be omitted for convenience of description. do.

In the present embodiment, the tank sterilization unit 150 is linked to the tank 130. In addition, the tank sterilization unit 150 is linked with a control unit 160 provided to control the operation of the tank sterilization unit 150. The water treatment device 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment may operate the tank sterilization unit 150 according to a predetermined cycle in the controller 160 to sterilize the tank unit 130 at a predetermined cycle.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tank sterilization unit 150 includes a sterilization water passage tube 151, an electrolysis unit 152, and a sterilization water passage tube connected to the tank sterilization unit 150 to form a circulation path F1. And a flow path opening and closing valve 153 and a circulation pump 154 provided to open and close 151.

In this embodiment, the electrolysis unit 152 is connected to the sterilizing water flow channel 151 between the flow path opening and closing valve 153 and the circulation pump 154. Here, the electrolysis unit 152 is a member for receiving the drinking water from the tank unit 130 through the sterilizing water flow path pipe 151 in the open state of the flow path opening and closing valve 153, and electrolysis it, to generate sterilizing water to be.

In the electrolysis unit 152, the drinking water is electrolyzed (hereinafter, 'electrolysis' is described as a concept including a 'redox reaction') while the chlorine ion (Cl ⁻ ) contained in the drinking water is chlorine ( Converted to sterile water with reduction to Cl ₂ ). The sterilizing water may be sterilized in the tank 130 while being circulated along the circulation path F1 during the operation of the circulation pump 154.

In general, tap water contains chlorine ions of 0.5 mg / L or more, and some amount of chlorine ions remain in the drinking water filtered while passing through the filter unit 120.

When power is applied to the electrolysis unit 152 to cause an electrolysis process, the drinking water provided to the electrolysis unit 152 in the tank unit 130 is electrolyzed and negative (−) at the anode of the electrolysis unit 152. charged with the electric ion (OH ^-, Cl ^-, etc.) the electron (e ^-) to be up to the electrode is deprived of reaction generated chlorine gas and hypochlorous acid (HClO). At this time, the electrolytic reaction is as follows.

_{^{H 2 O → H + + OH}} -

^{_{4OH - - 4e - → 2H 2}} O + O 2

_{O 2 + H 2 O - e} - → O 3 ↑ + 2H +

^{2Cl - - 2e- → 2Cl - →} Cl 2

_{Cl 2 + 2H 2 O - 2e} - → 2HClO + H +

The sterilization water generated through the above process is introduced into the tank unit 130 along the circulation path F1 through the sterilization water flow channel 151 during the operation of the circulation pump 154, and again, the electrolysis unit 152. After the flow into the tank is introduced into the tank 130 via the circulation pump 154. In this embodiment, the sterilizing water is circulated along the circulation path (F1) and the concentration increases as the number of electrolysis in the electrolysis unit 152 increases, the tank portion 130 increases as the concentration of the sterilizing water increases Sterilization performance will be improved.

On the other hand, in addition to the above method, there are many known methods for generating sterilizing water using electrodes, and the sterilizing water of the present invention includes all of the sterilizing water generated through the electrodes.

Hereinafter, a method of sterilizing the tank unit 130 using the tank sterilization unit 150 according to the present embodiment will be described.

Once the sterilization operation is started in the control unit 160, the flow path opening and closing valve 153 is opened by the control unit 160. When the flow path opening and closing valve 153 is opened, the drinking water of the tank 130 is introduced into the electrolysis unit 152 through the sterilizing water flow channel 151.

The drinking water introduced into the electrolysis unit 152 is sterilized water containing an oxidized mixed substance (MO) such as hypochlorous acid while being electrolyzed between the anode and the cathode of the electrolysis unit 152. The sterilized water discharged from the electrolysis unit 152 is introduced again into the tank 130 via the circulation pump 154.

When the circulation pump 154 is operated, the sterilizing water is circulated through the path F1 (ie, the tank unit 130-> flow opening and closing valve 153-> electrolysis unit 152-> circulation pump 154. )-> While circulating along the tank 130 may sterilize the tank 130.

When the tank unit 130 is sterilized by the above process, the sterilizing water is discharged to the outside through the fourth flow pipe 144 connected to the tank unit 130. Thereafter, after the rinsing water flows into the tank unit 130, the tank unit 130 is washed while the process of discharging to the outside through the fourth flow pipe 144 is repeatedly performed.

When the sterilization and washing operation of the tank unit 130 is completed, the controller 160 allows the tap water to flow into the filter unit 120 through the first flow pipe 141. Thereafter, the filtered tap water while passing through the filter unit 120 becomes drinking water, and the drinking water is provided to the tank unit 130 along the F0 arrow direction.

Second Example

Hereinafter, a water treatment device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. 2 is a schematic diagram of a water treatment device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and shows a flow of sterilizing water when the sterilization unit is operated, and FIG. 3 schematically shows a flow of rinsing water when the rinsing unit is operated. .

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the water treatment device 200 according to the present embodiment includes a device housing 210, a sediment filter 221, a precarbon filter 222, a membrane filter 223, and a post carbon. A filter unit 220 including a filter 224 and provided with a filter inlet 220a and a filter outlet 220b, a tank unit 230, a tank sterilization unit 250, a rinsing unit 255, and a controller 260. ).

However, in the present embodiment, the device housing 210, the filter unit 220, the tank unit 230, and the water treatment channel 240 having the same structure and function as those of the first embodiment described above (that is, the first to fourth flow paths) are provided. Repeated description of the tubes 241, 242, 243, 244) and the control unit 260 will be omitted, and the tank sterilization unit 250 and the rinsing unit 255 different from the first embodiment will be described. Let's do it.

In this embodiment, the tank sterilization unit 250 includes a sterilization water flow channel 251, an electrolysis unit 252, a flow path opening and closing valve 253, and a circulation pump 254. In this embodiment, the tank sterilization unit 250 is the tank unit 230-> flow path opening and closing valve 253-> electrolysis unit 252-> circulation pump 254-> tank unit 230 ) Is connected to the tank unit 230 through the sterilization water flow channel 251 to form the first circulation path (F1).

However, the sterilizing water flow channel 251, the electrolysis unit 252, the flow opening and closing valve 253 and the circulation pump 254 according to the present embodiment is the sterilizing water flow channel 151 of the first embodiment, the electric Since it has the same structure and function as the decomposition unit 152, the flow path opening and closing valve 153 and the circulation pump 154, a repeated description thereof will be omitted in the present embodiment.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, the rinsing unit 255 is linked to the control unit 260, the rinsing operation is started after the sterilization operation of the tank sterilization unit 250 by the control unit 260. In the present embodiment, the rinsing unit 255 includes a flow path switching valve 256 and a rinsing flow channel 257.

In this embodiment, the rinsing unit 255 is the tank unit 230-> flow path opening and closing valve 253-> electrolysis unit 252-> circulation pump 254-> flow path switching valve 256 )-> Rinse flow passage (257)-> Post carbon filter (224)-> Tank sterilization unit 250 and the filter unit 220, so that the tank unit 230 forms a second circulation path (F2) Is associated with the post carbon filter 224.

In this embodiment, the flow path switching valve 256 is installed in the sterilizing water flow path pipe 251 between the circulation pump 254 and the tank portion 230. Here, the flow path switching valve 256 is a valve for switching the circulating path of the sterilizing water from the first circulation path F1 to the second circulation path F2.

In this embodiment, one end of the rinse flow passage tube 257 is connected to the flow path switching valve 256, the other end is connected to the post carbon filter 224. When the flow path switching valve 256 switches the circulation path of the sterilizing water from the first circulation path F1 to the second circulation path F2, the sterilizing water discharged from the circulation pump 254 is the flow path switching valve 256. It is introduced into the rinse flow channel 257 via the, and is provided to the post carbon filter 224 through the rinse flow channel (257).

The sterilized water introduced into the post carbon filter 224 becomes rinsing water while chlorine ions are removed while passing through the post carbon filter 224. The rinsing water exiting the post carbon filter 224 flows into the tank unit 230 while flowing along the second flow path tube.

The rinsing water introduced into the tank 230 may be circulated along the second circulation path F2 to clean the tank 230. At this time, that is, power is not applied to the electrolysis unit 252 during the rinsing operation.

However, the control unit 260 is a flow path opening and closing valve 253 is opened so as to form a second circulation path (F2), the flow path switching valve 256 is a sterilizing water flow path pipe from the circulation pump 254 to the tank unit 230 ( 251 is closed and the rinse flow conduit 257 from the circulation pump 254 to the post carbon filter 224 is operated to open.

Hereinafter, the sterilization and washing method using the tank sterilization unit 250 and the rinsing unit 255 according to the present embodiment will be described.

Once the sterilization operation starts to be started in the controller 260, the flow path opening and closing valve 253 is opened by the controller 260. When the flow path opening and closing valve 253 is opened, the drinking water of the tank unit 230 flows into the electrolysis unit 252 through the sterilizing water flow channel 251.

The drinking water introduced into the electrolysis unit 252 is sterilized water containing an oxidative mixture such as hypochlorous acid while being electrolyzed between the anode and the cathode of the electrolysis unit 252. The sterilizing water discharged from the electrolysis unit 252 is introduced again into the tank 230 via the circulation pump 254 and the flow path switching valve 256.

In operation of the circulation pump 254, the sterilizing water is supplied to the first circulation path F1 (i.e., the tank part 230-> flow path opening and closing valve 253-> electrolysis unit 252-> circulation pump (254)-> flow path switching valve (256)-> tank portion 230 can be sterilized tank portion 230 becomes high concentration.

When the tank 230 is sterilized by the above process, the controller 260 starts the rinsing operation. During the rinsing operation, the sterilizing water in the tank unit 230 flows into the rinsing flow passage 257 via the flow path opening and closing valve 253, the electrolysis unit 252, the circulation pump 254, and the flow path switching valve 256. And then to the postcarbon filter 224.

The sterile water provided to the post carbon filter 224 is filtered while passing through the post carbon filter 224 to remove chlorine ions. Sterilized water from which chlorine ions have been removed may be used as the rinsing water. The rinsing water flows into the tank portion 230 while flowing through the second flow path tube.

The rinsing water introduced into the tank 230 is the second circulation path F2 (tank 230-> flow opening and closing valve 253-> electrolysis unit 252-> circulation pump 254 -> Flow path switching valve (256)-> rinsing flow path pipe (257)-> post carbon filter (224)-> second flow path pipe-> tank part 230, 230) can be cleaned. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as the number of rinsing water passes through the post carbon filter 224 increases, chlorine ions are removed.

The water treatment device 200 according to the present embodiment increases the concentration of the sterilized water generated by electrolysis in the electrolysis unit 252 by repeatedly circulating the drinking water in the tank unit 230 through the first circulation path F1. By sterilizing the tank unit 230 in a state, sterilization ability can be improved.

In addition, after the water treatment device 200 according to the present embodiment sterilizes the tank unit 230, the chlorine ions are removed from the sterilizing water by using a post carbon filter 224 without immediately discharging the sterilizing water to the rinsing water. By using it, unnecessary waste of water can be prevented.

On the other hand, when the washing process of the tank unit 230 is completed using the rinsing water, the rinsing water flows into the fourth flow path pipe 244 via the flow path opening and closing valve 253, and then the fourth flow path pipe 244. It is discharged to the outside through the drain member (not shown) associated with. Thereafter, the drinking water filtered while passing through the filter unit 220 is provided to the tank unit 230 along the F0 arrow direction.

Third Example

Hereinafter, a water treatment device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4. 4 schematically illustrates a configuration diagram of a water treatment device according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the water treatment device 300 according to the present exemplary embodiment may include an apparatus housing 310, a sediment filter 321, a precarbon filter 322, and the like, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The filter unit 320, the tank unit 330, the tank sterilization unit 350, the control unit 360, and the circulation module 370 provided with the membrane filter 323 and the post carbon filter 334 are included.

However, in the present embodiment, the device housing 310, the filter unit 320, the tank unit 330, the water treatment flow passage, that is, the same structure and function as those of the first embodiment described above, that is, the first to fourth flow path pipes 341 And, repeated descriptions for the 342, 343, 344 and the control unit 360 will be omitted, and the tank sterilization unit 350 and the circulation module different from the first embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, the tank sterilization unit 350 is installed in the sterilization water supply pipe 351 to link the free carbon filter 322 and the tank unit 330. In the present exemplary embodiment, the tank sterilization unit 350 is installed between the precarbon filter 322 and the tank unit 330. The filtered water passes through the precarbon filter 322 while passing through the membrane filter 323. As it passes through, the metal ions contained in the water are filtered. As a result, the water passing through the membrane filter 323 may not easily be electrolyzed, and thus, by using water before passing through the membrane filter 323 This is to improve the electrolytic efficiency of the tank sterilization unit 350.

In this embodiment, the sterilization water supply pipe 351 is provided with a sterilization opening and closing valve 352 between the pre-carbon filter 322 and the tank sterilization unit 350.

The tank sterilization unit 350 receives the drinking water flowing out of the pre-carbon filter 322 in the open state of the sterilization opening and closing valve 352 and flowing along the sterilization water supply pipe 351. In addition, the tank sterilization unit 350 electrolyzes the drinking water provided from the sterilizing water supply pipe 351 to generate sterilizing water containing an mixed oxidant (MO) such as hypochlorous acid. Thereafter, the tank sterilization unit 350 supplies sterilization water to the tank unit 330.

However, unlike shown in FIG. 4, the tank sterilization unit 350 may be installed at the rear end of the filter unit 320.

Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the circulation module is connected to the water outlet side of the tank unit 330 and the water supply side of the post carbon filter 324 such that the tank unit 330 and the post carbon filter 324 form a circulation path. In this embodiment, the circulation module includes a circulation pipe 371, a circulation pump 372, and a circulation flow path switching valve 373.

In this embodiment, one end of the circulation pipe 371 is connected to the water outlet side of the tank unit 330, and the other end is connected to the water outlet side of the post carbon filter 324. Thus, in this embodiment, between the post carbon filter 324 and the tank portion 330 (tank portion 330-> fourth flow pipe 344-> circulation open and close valve 345-> circulation pipe (371)-> post carbon filter 324-> second flow path pipe 342-> tank portion 330 is formed with a circulation path.

In this embodiment, the sterilizing water provided from the tank sterilization unit 350 to the tank unit 330 flows from the fourth flow passage tube 344 to the circulation tube 371 in the open state of the circulation opening / closing valve 345, and circulates. It is provided to the post carbon filter 324 via the circulation flow path switching valve 373 while flowing along the circulation pipe 371 by the operation of the pump 372.

The sterilized water provided to the post carbon filter 324 is rinsed by removing chlorine ions via the post carbon. The rinsing water discharged from the post carbon filter 324 flows into the tank part 330 along the second flow path pipe 342. The rinsing water introduced into the tank unit 330 is circulated repeatedly along the circulation path during the operation of the circulation pump 372 to rinse the inside of the tank unit 330.

Hereinafter, a method of cleaning the tank unit 330 using the tank sterilization unit 350 and the circulation module according to the present embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, before the control unit 360 operates the tank sterilization unit 350 and the circulation module, the water introduced into the sediment filter 321 through the first flow pipe 341 connected to the water pipe is sediment. After filtering through the filter 321, the precarbon filter 322, the membrane filter 323 and the post carbon filter 324 in sequence, while flowing the second flow pipe 342 along the arrow direction (F0) It is supplied to the tank portion 330. Drinking water in the tank portion 330 may be discharged to the outside along the third flow path pipe 343 in the open state of the take-out cock (343a).

On the other hand, in order to clean the tank unit 330, when the tank sterilization unit 350 and the circulation module starts to operate by the control unit 360, the control unit 360 is a portion of the drinking water in the tank unit 330 or The circulation opening and closing valve 345 is opened so that the whole quantity is discharged to the outside, and the circulation flow path switching valve 373 is operated to close.

Accordingly, the drinking water discharged from the tank unit 330 flows through the fourth flow path pipe 344-> circulation open / close valve 345-> circulation pipe 371 along the arrow F2 direction, and then the circulation flow path switching valve ( At 373), the flow path is switched and discharged to the outside along the direction of arrow F3.

By the above process, when the drainage process of drinking water in the tank unit 330 is completed, the control unit 360 allows the tank sterilization unit 350 to operate. In operation of the tank sterilization unit 350, the control unit 360 causes the sterilization opening and closing valve 352 associated with the free carbon filter 322 to be opened by the sterilization water supply pipe 351, and at the tank sterilization unit 350. It is operated to apply power to the tank sterilization unit 350 so that electrolysis occurs.

At this time, the drinking water discharged from the pre-carbon filter 322 is provided to the tank unit 330 via the sterilization opening and closing valve 352 and the tank sterilization unit 350 in the direction of arrow F1 while flowing through the sterilization water supply pipe 351. do. After sterilizing the tank unit 330, the sterilizing water provided to the tank unit 330 may be discharged from the tank unit 330 through the fourth flow passage 344 provided at the water outlet side of the tank unit 330. .

The sterilizing water discharged from the tank 330 is provided to the post carbon filter 324 as described above while flowing along the circulation pipe 371 during the operation of the circulation pump 372, and the chlorine is passed through the post carbon filter 324. After the ions are removed to become rinsing water, the ions are introduced into the tank part 330 through the second flow pipe 342.

In this embodiment, during the operation of the circulation pump 372, the rinsing water may rinse the inside of the tank unit 330 while being repeatedly circulated along the direction of the arrow F2.

Through the above process, when the sterilization and rinsing process of the tank unit 330 is completed, the control unit 360 is operated so that the tank sterilization unit 350 and the circulation module are not operated. Thus, water introduced into the filter part 320 through the first flow pipe 341 flows along the arrow F0 direction and is provided to the tank part 330.

Meanwhile, in the process of filtering the water flowing into the filter unit 320 through the first flow pipe 341 while passing through the filter unit 320 along the arrow F0, the water not filtered by the membrane filter 323 is arrowed. The membrane filter 323 may be discharged to the outside along the F4 direction.

The exemplary embodiments described above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting, in all aspects of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is capable of many modifications and detailed implementations which may be obtained from those contained within the specification by those skilled in the art. All such modifications and variations are to be considered as within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

100, 200, 300: water treatment equipment 110, 210, 310: device housing
120, 220, 320: filter part 130, 230, 330: tank part
140, 240: water treatment flow path 150, 250, 350: tank sterilization unit

Claims

A device housing having a control unit;
A tank unit connected to a filter unit provided to filter the water introduced into the apparatus housing so as to be drinking water, the tank unit being provided to receive the drinking water; And
In connection with the tank unit to form a circulation path, during the sterilization operation of the control unit, the sterilized water supplied from the tank unit is electrolyzed to generate sterilized water, and the sterilized water is circulated along the circulation path provided to sterilize the tank unit. Tank sterilization unit;
Water treatment device comprising a.

The method of claim 1, wherein the tank sterilization unit
A sterilizing water flow channel connected to the tank to form a circulation path;
A flow path opening / closing valve connected to the sterilizing water flow channel to open and close the sterilizing water flow channel;
An electrolysis unit connected to the sterilization water flow channel and provided to generate the sterilization water by electrolyzing the drinking water provided by the tank unit; And
A circulation pump provided between the tank unit and the electrolysis unit in connection with the sterilization water flow passage so that the sterilization water discharged from the electrolysis unit is circulated along the circulation path;
Water treatment device comprising a.

The method of claim 2,
The tank sterilization unit is connected to the control unit,
The control unit is characterized in that the tank sterilization unit is operated according to a predetermined period in the control unit.

The method of claim 2,
The control unit during the sterilization operation of the tank sterilization unit
The flow path opening and closing valve is operated to open, so that drinking water in the tank portion is supplied to the electrolysis unit through the sterilization water flow channel,
By applying power to the electrolysis unit to cause an electrolysis process, the drinking water is electrolyzed in the electrolysis unit is converted into sterilized water,
And applying power to the circulation pump to operate the circulation pump so that the sterilizing water is circulated while forming a circulation path along the sterilization water flow pipe.

A device housing having a control unit;
A tank unit connected to a filter unit provided to filter the water introduced into the apparatus housing so as to be drinking water, the tank unit being provided to receive the drinking water;
In connection with the tank unit to form a first circulation path, during the sterilization operation of the control unit, electrolyzing drinking water supplied from the tank unit to generate sterilization water, the sterilization water is circulated along the first circulation path while the tank A tank sterilization unit provided to sterilize the unit; And
It is installed between the tank sterilization unit and the post carbon filter to form a second circulation path for circulating the post carbon filter of the tank unit and the filter unit, and the chlorine ions are removed while the sterilizing water passes through the post carbon filter. A rinsing portion, wherein the rinsing water is provided to rinse the tank portion while circulating along the second circulation path;
Water treatment device comprising a.

The method of claim 5, wherein the tank sterilization unit
A sterilizing water passage tube connected to the tank to form a first circulation path;
A flow path opening / closing valve connected to the sterilizing water flow channel to open and close the sterilizing water flow channel;
An electrolysis unit connected to the sterilization water flow channel and provided to generate the sterilization water by electrolyzing the drinking water provided by the tank unit; And
A circulation pump provided between the tank unit and the electrolysis unit in connection with the sterilization water passage tube so that the sterilization water discharged from the electrolysis unit is circulated along the first circulation path;
Water treatment device comprising a.

The method according to claim 6,
The control unit is connected to the tank sterilization unit and the rinsing unit,
The control unit is characterized in that the tank sterilization unit and the rinsing unit is operated according to a predetermined period in the control unit.

The method according to claim 6,
The control unit during the sterilization operation of the tank sterilization unit
The flow path opening and closing valve is operated to open, so that drinking water in the tank portion is supplied to the electrolysis unit through the sterilization water flow channel,
By applying power to the electrolysis unit to cause an electrolysis process, the drinking water is electrolyzed in the electrolysis unit is converted into sterilized water,
And applying power to the circulation pump to operate the circulation pump so that the sterilizing water is circulated while forming a first circulation path along the sterilization water flow channel.

The method of claim 6, wherein the rinsing unit
A flow path switching valve provided between the circulation pump and the tank unit to be connected to the sterilizing water flow channel so as to switch a flow path of sterilizing water; And
A rinsing flow pipe connecting the flow path switching valve and the post carbon filter;
Water treatment device comprising a.

The method of claim 9,
The control unit at the rinsing operation,
The flow path opening and closing valve is opened, the flow path switching valve is operated to close the first circulation path and open the second circulation path,
And cause the rinsing unit to operate such that the rinsing water is circulated along the second circulation path.

A filter unit having a post carbon filter;
A tank unit associated with the filter unit, the tank unit provided to receive drinking water via the filter unit;
The sterilized water is connected to a flow path connecting the filter unit and the tank unit to generate the sterilized water by electrolyzing the drinking water provided by the filter unit, and providing the sterilized water to the tank unit to cause the sterilized water to sterilize the tank unit. Provided tank sterilization unit; And
And a circulation module connected to an outlet side of the tank unit and an inlet side of the post carbon filter such that the tank unit and the post carbon filter form a circulation path.

The method of claim 11, wherein the circulation module
A circulation pipe having one end connected to the water outlet side of the tank portion and the other end connected to the water supply side of the post carbon filter, such that the tank portion and the post carbon filter form a circulation path; And
A circulation pump connected to the circulation pipe so that the sterilizing water provided from the tank part is supplied to the post carbon filter;
Includes, wherein the sterilized water discharged from the tank unit during the operation of the circulation pump is provided to the tank unit in the state of rinsing water to remove chlorine ions while passing through the post carbon filter.

13. The method of claim 12,
The circulation module further includes a circulation flow path switching valve provided to switch the flow path of the rinsing water flowing along the circulation path between the post carbon filter and the circulation pump and connected to the circulation pipe. .

The method of claim 11,
The tank sterilization unit and the circulation module is linked to a control unit,
The control unit is characterized in that the tank sterilization unit and the circulation module is operated in accordance with a cycle set in advance in the control unit so that the tank unit can be periodically sterilized.

The method of claim 14, wherein the control unit
The tank sterilization unit is operated during the sterilization operation on the tank unit, so that the sterilization water generated in the tank sterilization unit is supplied into the tank unit,
The circulation module is operated during the rinsing operation of the tank unit, so that chlorine ions are removed while the sterilizing water in the tank unit passes through the post carbon filter so as to rinse water, and the rinsing water is circulated along the circulation path. Water treatment device characterized in that to rinse the tank portion.